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Remember the Promises of God

James: Faith Works
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Pastor Jojo Ma

 

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

I.         When life is hard, remember the promises of God [v12]
II.        When temptation comes, don’t blame the sovereignty of God [vv13-15]
III.      When you feel defeated, trust in the unchanging goodness of God [vv16-18]

Believers must be growing in a daily confidence that God’s promises are true, that He is in control, and that His goodness does not waver. In a very unreliable world, trust in a very reliable God. In a very unstable world, believe in a very stable God.

I.         When life is hard, remember the promises of God [v12]
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Rev 2:10 Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

These crowns are simply named after what we will have in heaven: an imperishable existence, joy, glory, righteousness, and life…eternal life.

“Christ, the sure and steady anchor as we face the wave of death, when these trials give way to glory, as we draw our final breath; we will cross that great horizon, clouds behind and life secure, and the calm will be the better for the storms that we endure.”

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

II.        When temptation comes, don’t blame the sovereignty of God [vv13-15
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

1 Pet 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith --- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire --- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

So we must draw a line between how God righteously tests us and how God never pushes His children into sin. Yet when we sin it is on us, not God.

Every test can become a temptation and every temptation is a kind of test.

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

III.      When you feel defeated, trust in the unchanging goodness of God [vv16-18]
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Col 1:5 Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.

Church, do you realize how good God is in your trials? His presence with you, His peace in you, His provision for you. But mostly do you know His goodness in salvation? In the cross we have the ultimate demonstration of God’s goodness toward us. And it is an unchanging goodness indeed.

I.         When life is hard, remember the promises of God [v12]
II.        When temptation comes, don’t blame the sovereignty of God [vv13-15]
III.      When you feel defeated, trust in the unchanging goodness of God [vv16-18]